AstraZeneca Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2008

Principal risks and uncertainties

The pharmaceutical sector is inherently risky and a variety of risks and uncertainties may affect our business. Here we summarise, under the headings Industry/Economic Environment Risks; Legal/Compliance/Regulatory Risks; and Business Execution Risks, the principal risks and uncertainties that we currently consider may have a significant effect on our financial condition, results of operations and/or reputation. These risks are not listed in any assumed order of priority. Other risks, unknown or not currently considered material, could have a similar effect. We believe the forward-looking statements about AstraZeneca in this Report, identified by words such as ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘expects’ and ‘intends’, are based on reasonable assumptions. However, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties such as those summarised below, and may be influenced by factors beyond our control and/or may have actual outcomes materially different from our expectations.